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Hindi
Sambar is one dish that is synonymous with South India. There are many varieties made with different vegetables like onion, drumstick, radish, methi or a mix of vegetables like carrot, pumpkin, ladies finger, brinjal etc. Each vegetable imparts a different flavour to the sambar.

Onion Sambar Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Tuvar Dal (arhar dal)
- 2 medium-sized Onions (chopped in to big pieces)
- 2 tsp Oil
- 4 cups Water
- 1 ½ tbsp Tamarind (paste/pulp)
- 2 tsp Sambar Powder
- 1 pinch Hing
- Salt as required
For seasoning
- 1 tsp Oil
- 1 tsp Rai
- 1/2 tsp Methi Seeds
- 10 Curry Leaves
- 1 or 2 Red Chilli (depending on the spice level you need)
Instructions
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wash and soak dal in water for 15 minutes. Cook the dal in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles.
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In the meantime take a pan, add oil and fry the onions. Add haldi powder.
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After they become a little soft, add 3 cups of water.
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Let the onions get cooked completely. Then add the sambar powder and salt. Let it boil for 4-5 minutes.
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Now add the tamarind paste or pulp in 1 cup of water into the mixture.
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Also by now, the dal would be ready to take out from the cooker.
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Mash it till smooth and add it to the mixture.
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Mix it nicely and bring it to a boil.
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For seasoning, take a small pan, heat oil.
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Add rai, methi seeds. When they splutter, add curry leaves, red chillies, and hing. Switch off the flame.
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Pour this into the sambar mixture.
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Stir it and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
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Serve with steamed rice, idli, dosa or vada.
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Tuvar dal half cup means, how many grams?
4 cups of water means, how many Milli?
Please specify the quantity used in making onion sambar.
Hi Ramaknath,
1 cup = 200 ml
1/2 cup tuvar dal ~ 100 gms
4 cups of water ~ 800 ml